Nice to meet you!

Hi classmates! I’m Natalie Goldfarb. I consider myself to be from Fallbrook (north county San Diego) although I wasn’t born there. I was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, lived there for about a year and then my family moved to Tacoma, Washington. We lived there for two years, and then moved to Fallbrook when I was about three years old. I wish that I had had more time in both Wyoming and Washington, but really enjoyed growing up in quaint little Fallbrook. I attended a private elementary school, Zion Lutheran Elementary, and public school from junior high on at Potter Junior High School and Fallbrook High School. After high school I got my undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of San Diego. I consider myself extremely blessed to have a twin sister. During our childhood we were usually in class together and continued that tradition by attending USD together. In the fall I’ll be starting the part-time multiple subject credential program.

As far as technology goes, I’m a recovering PC. Well, by now I guess I could say I’m all Mac. I swore by PCs and then two years ago I had to get a Mac for work. Watch out PC users out there… once you go Mac, you never go back. On a daily basis I depend on technology a great deal. I work for a literacy company and since we’re spread out all over the country we stay connected by using online databases, video and phone conferencing technology, as well as all of the usual word processing stuff. When I do word processing I usually use Office 08 for Mac.

The CSUSM mission statement to me, sums up many of the reasons that I’d like to be a teacher. Social justice and equity in schools is something that is gaining more attention, but in my opinion, has yet to fully take root and be evident in many schools. It is a goal of mine to demonstrate this in my future classroom and school. I also find it very important that CSUSM promotes education that is student-centered. Although common sense tells us that that’s what education is all about, I feel that some educators have taken accountability to a whole new level, forgetting about the students and worrying too much about their test results. By making a conscious effort to provide student-centered education I feel that we will be more likely to look at the whole student and his or her needs. The mission statement did have an impact on my decision to come to CSUSM. It was evident in my interview that the university holds strong to it’s standards and values and wants each student to take ownership of the mission.